• John Dobson at the Karoo Art
  • Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Scarra Ntubeni in the Karoo Art bar
  • John Dobson at the Karoo Art
    Dobbo poster

5 Arts Weekend 18-20 July review

Posted by Rick .

It was the 3rd year in a row for a not to be missed sporting, food, music, lightness and laughter weekend conceived and conducted by the legendary Stormers coach.

Dobbo as conductor of a weekend of note

Once in a while we put the hotel in the hands of a conductor. It becomes their venue, their project, their program for x no of days. 

Dobbo did all that and more from the 18 - 20 July.

  • Founder of Fokofpolisiekar Francois Van Coke friday night.
  • Steven Kitshoff in the bar pouring is own new beer  label Bomb Squad brewed by Saggy Stone (clever move).
  • A high level pre game rugby workshop of note withKitshoff, Deon Fourie and Scarra Ntubeni before the SA Georgia Test.
  • Mark Keohane the SA Rugby fire cracker commentator and partner in the unmissable  Keo & Zels show . 
  • Peter G - Commedian and Magician. A name no one knew but which no one will forget. 
  • An after party of note with our fabulous  Harley Dale DJ Jaco Meissenhammer.
  • Great cooking all the way by the kitchen all the way including a Karoo Lamb Lunch.

That's what Dobbo did for the hotel and a sell out weekend for out of town guests, but  what of where his real heart lies ? Grass routes Rugby.

Dobbo as an inspirational supporter of grass routs Rugby. 

  • An inspirational meeting with the two Barrydale Rugby sides The Eagels and the Struiders
  • A complete set of official practice kit (Rugby, Shorts and Socks) as worn by the Stormers
  • Branded hoodies for both sides (Eagles now, Struiders next month)

Oliver Keohane of Getaway Magazine did an awesome review.

Getaway Magazine weekend review

Mickey Mentz of NewS 62 showed his razor sharp instagram skills in the bar

Instagram by Mickey Mentz of News 62

Mark Keohane , SA Rugby Mag supremo, Rugby expert of note and partner in the must watch Keo & Zels show shot our social media profile through the roof over the buildup and then comment afterwards about the event 

Keo & Zels show

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Scarra Ntubeni in the Karoo Art bar

Further Reading

Tim Plewman at last . Saturday 13th September

After a long wait we finally get to host Tim Plewman in the Belanti. He'll be performing his new show, Epilogue co written with John Smeddle. A piece of work that reviewers have described as 'sweaving an often hilarious web, intertwined with life, death and everything in between'.

Read This Article
Marianne Palmer
Iconic Karoo farm cookbook to make its return to our kitchen. Sun August 10, 2025

We look forward to a late September return of the recipes from Cranemere farm near Pearston Graaff Reinet. It's all part of our ongoing celebration of the Art of Karoo cooking.

Read This Article
The Barrydale Cycle Loop

A chilled ride through 6 glorious farms with many an out

Read This Article